V-belt



Dec, 29, 1936. R. E. s. GEARE V-BELT Fired oct. Va, 1936 Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES V-BELT Randolph E. S. Geare, Philadelphia. Pa., assignor to L. H. Gilmer Co., Tacony, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of New Jersey Application october s, 1936,V serai No. 164,125 s claims. (ci. 'i4-zas) 'I'his invention relates to improvements in the construction of V-belts:

One object of the invention is to provide a V-belt which is relatively thinner in proportion 5 to its Width than V-belts of ordinary type, and therefore more exible perpendicularly, but which is of a predetermined crosswise rigidity for a thin section of belt, so that it is prevented from buckling or curling, whereby it is better l adapted for use in connection with small diameter pulleys and in speed changing devices where the pulley diameters vary and where the use of belts of ordinary type do not, because of their degree of stiffness, give highly efllcient results. l Another object of the invention is to provide an improved V-belt construction which strengthens the belt transversely and builds up a crosswise rigidity for a thin section of belt, whereby a belt is produced which while thin and of high flexibility is nevertheless strong and durable and capable of pulling a heavy load.

Still another object of theinvention is to provide a V-belt which while thin and flexible is so constructed as to be proof against bowing or buckling, so that a belt of most eflicient pulling properties is produced.. Y

'I'he invention consists of the features of con-` struction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, refer- 80 ence being had to the accompanying drawing, in

whichz- I l. Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a portion of a V- belt constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, on line 3*-3 of Fig. 1, through the meeting ends of the belt.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, l designates my improved V-belt which com- -prises a body or core 2 formed of mold rubber having invested therein superposed rows of paralel pull cords'orfabric pulling piles 3, said body or core being preferably enclosed in a bias fabric jacket 4. The' pulling elements 3 may be of regular belting duck sufficiently strong to carry a fairly heavy load. 'I'he belt is of split or nonendless type and is made comparatively thin, that is, ofY a depth or vertical extent between its outer and inner faces materially less than its width or transverse extent between its lateral margins 5. These lateral margins are made of greater depth or thickness'than the intermediate portion of the belt, so that a thin belt body is produced having lateral portions of somewhat greater depth to 'gins 51s secured by extending the lateral margins of the rubber body 2 upwardly and downwardly 'in the form of ribs 'l at the sides of the upper and l0 lower faces of said body, providing between them channels 8 extending longitudinally along the upper and lower surfaces of the belt.

This construction provides a belt which is of normal width conforming to that ofa belt of a l5 certain conventional or standard size, but of reduced thickness, relative to a standard belt of that size with respect to its width, the belt being sufficiently thin and flexible to travel readily about small pulleys which can not be traversed 20 or which are, traversed with difculty by the thicker and stiier V-belts of ordinary type. My invention, therefore, provides a belt which may be used with great efficiency as a drive belt in speed changing and in other connections where 25 some of the pulleys are of very small diameter and where it has hitherto been found impossible to use V-belts at all or with any material degree of success. In an 4ordinary type of V-belt the depth of the belt is almost equal to its width. 30 Thus in building a regular type of V-belt of 2" width its thickness, in accordance with conventional practice, would be 1%", sucha belt being too thick to give sucient exibility to allow the v belt to pass around very small or ordinarily'sinall 35 pulleys without slipping. In producing a 2" width belt according to my invention the thickness is reduced to a materialdegree, for example, to a thickness of 5/8", at which reduced thickness in relation to its Width the belt is rendered capa- 40 ble of exing about very small diameter pulleys.

In order yto give crosswise rigidity 4suiicient to strengthen and prevent bowing of this thin belt, the belt is provided at spaced points throughout its length with reinforcing or stilfening mem-V45 bers 9. These consist of thin metallic plates of light but strong metal, such as duralumin, said plates being arranged in pairs with the opposed and rcoactiiig plates of each pair lying'in the channels 8 at vthe outer and inner sides of the 50 belt. The plates of each pair are connected to each other and to the belt by suitable fastenings, such as headed rivets vl ll, passing through the belt and plates. l The spacing of the pairsv of plates is such that the belt is stiftened at points sum- 55 ciently close for that purpose but remote enoughA to allow adequate perpendicular flexibility oi the intervening portions of the belt for bending actions about even very small pulleys. These stiil ening plates and the headed ends of their fastening rivets lie substantially-within the recesses 8 so that they are protected from liability oi' injury or causing injury from contact with extraneous objects.

l. The ends of the belt are coupled togetherby means of a connector plate Il which bridges over the joint between the belt ends. But asingleA connector plate is employed at the outer side of the belt only, leaving the ends at the inner side Il free so as to avoid interference at this side with the flexibilityoi the belt. This bridge plate may be secured in positionlby, rivets, butiastening bolts l2 and nuts I3 are preferably used. These bolts pass at the inner side .of the belt through 20 lock plates Il, which take the place of stiiIening plates at this point, and may pass at theputer side of the belt thlmlsh thin lock plates I! overlying the bridge plate. The plates Il and I! are Y.

provided with retaining tongues i6 bent upward s therefrom and the bolt heads and nuts, thus preventing the bolts and nuts from turning and becoming loose or disengaged.' By this means a secure connection between the belt ends is provided which-allows ample flexibility at the 3 junction point between the belt ends. 'I'he construction described gives crosswise rigidity to the belt. This crosswise rigidity insures against bowing or buckling of the belt and maintains the belt in a horizontal plane of pull. Yet, because of the 35 thinness oi 'thebelt section, the belt itself will 'ilex over very small diameter pulleys.

From the foregoing description, taken in con-v nection with the drawing, the construction of my improved v-belt will be readily understood and its advantages appreciated by those versed in the art without a further and extendedI description. While the construction disclosed is preferred, it 6 will, of course, be understood that changes in the arrangement, construction and form of the parts .may be varied from those shown within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. l0

What I claim is:- l

1. A ilexible V-belt having its central portion of less thickness than its lateral margins and integ'ral therewith, providing longitudinally extending channels in the outer and inner sides of l5 the belt, sets of stiirening plates arranged entirely within said channels in spacedrelation equidistantly from each other longitudinally o! the belt, and Ia'stenings passing through the belt and connecting the opposed stiiiening plates of the sets 20 together.

2. A V-belt comprising a core of molded rubber having rows of pull cords invested therein, said core having lateral margins-of greater thickness thanI its body portion. providing longitudinal 25 channels or recesses in the outer and inner faces of said core, a jacket enveloping thez'core, and stlfrening members disposed in said channels at spaced points longitudinally of the belt.

3. A v-belt including a core of molded rubber, s0 said core having lateral margins of greater thickness than its body portion providing longitudinal channels, or uw: in the outer and inner faces of said core, a jacket eveloping the core, and stiflening members disposed in said channels at ,35 spaced points longitudinally of the belt.

RANDOLPH E. S. GEARI. 

